Nut-lock.



M. R. MILLER.

NUT LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15. 19:5

1 177,79 1 I Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEio.

MERRITT R. MILLER, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FIFTH TOEARL D. WELTON AND ONE-FIFTH TO WILLIAM BRANDT, BOTH 0F GRAND RAPIDS,

MICHIGAN.

NUT-LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4-, 1916.

Application filed March 15, 1915. Serial No. 14,424.

To all whom it may concern. 7

Be it known that I, Mnnnrrr R. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nut-Locks, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to nut locks and the primary object thereof residesin the provision of a transversely disposed locking key for associationwith the nut to securely and permanently hold the nut in any desiredposition on the bolt.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a novellocking means associated with the locking key adapted to automaticallyengagethe nut at a predetermined position at approximately the same timethat the locking key has been arranged in abutting engagement with thebolt, the

said locking means permanently maintaining the locking key in positionand preventing the accidental or surreptitious removal of the key fromposition.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of adevice of the character described that is simple in construction,eiiicient in operation and one that can be manufactured and placed onthe market at a minimum cost.

Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and scopeof my invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my invention;Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the bolt and nut,showing the transverse key in locked position; Fig. 3 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view of the nut and bolt and key illustrating toadvantage the construction and arrangement of the locking means of thekev; Fig. ii is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the nutillustrating the construction of the transversely extending openingtherein for receiving the key; and 5 is a perspective view of the key.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which similar referencenumerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the differentviews, I provide a bolt 1 having a head 2 and a screw-threaded shank 3on which shank is rotatably mounted a nut 4c, the under surface of whichis arranged 1n engagement with a piece of work 5 and held permanently inthis engagement by means of a locking means 6.

In order to securely lock the nut in various adjusted positions on thebolt, I have provided the same with a transversely extending screwthreaded opening 7 which communicates with the usual longitudinalopening therethrough. The opening 7 is provided with screw threads andis enlarged at a point substantially intermediate its ends so as toprovide a substantially bell shaped annular notch 8 for a purpose to behereinafter described. Engageable in the opening 7 is a screw-threadedshank 9 of a key or screw, the head 10 of which is provided on its outersurface with a transverse desired with a suitable tool so that thescrew-threaded shank 9 may be rotated until the inner end thereof isarranged in bindlng engagement with the screw threads of the bolt 1.WVhen the key is in position, the outer surface of the head is arrangedin alinement with the side of the nut, the openings 7 being slightlydepressed to conform with the under surface of the head. The lockingmeans of the key 9 which consequently facilitates the locking of the nuton the bolt is provided preferably by positioning a transverselyextending and longitudinally arranged slot 12, in the screw-threadedshank 9 at a point in substantial alinement with the bell shapednotch 8.Pivotally mounted by suitable pins 7 13 adjacent the outer end of theslot and within the slot are the vertically and laterally swinging dogs14, the latter diverging toward their outer ends and having their outerengaging edges similar to the configuration of the bell shaped notch 8.These dogs 14: are positioned adjacent the respective edges of the slotand in spaced relation with each other so as to receive the automaticoperating means which in this instance consists essentially of asubstantially U-shaped leaf'spring 15, the terminals of which arepreferably soldered to the inner edges of the dogs. By this arrangementit will be obvious that when the shank 9 is rotated within the openingspring 15 will be exerted upon the dogs,

causing them to swing outwardly into engagement with the bell shapednotch, thus preventing rotation of the key and forming an eflicientmeans for permanently locking the key in position and consequentlypermanently holding the nut in a desired position on the bolt.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it can easily be seen that I have provided a device that issimple in construction, con taining but a few simple parts that can becheaply manufactured and assembled and when assembled can be placed uponthe market and sold at a minimum cost.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanyingdrawings comprehend only the general embodiment of my invention and thatvarious minor changes in detail of construction, proportion andarrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of theappendedclaims and without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention. 7

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is :v r

1. In combination with a bolt, and a nut threaded thereon provided witha transverse opening, a key insertible in the opening for bitingengagement with the bolt, and locking means associated with the key forautothe screw for engagement with the walls of the transverse opening ata predetermined point for permanently holding said screw within theopening and consequently preventing the rotation of the nut on the bolt.

3. In combination with a bolt, a nut threaded thereon, and said nutbeing provided with a transverse opening extending to said bolt, of ascrew in threaded engagement with said opening and adapted for bitingengagement with said bolt, locking dogs pivotally mounted within thesaid screw, and a spring element positioned between said locking dogs tocause said dogs to engage the walls of the transverse opens ing at apredetermined point for preventing rotation of the screw andconsequently pre venting rotation of the nut. V

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MERRITT R. MILLER. V Witnesses EARL lVnL'roN, WILLIA BRANDT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissionerot Patents, Washington, D. 0.

